(a)

overspend was linked to customer services; was a better breakdown available? Was the budget set too low or was income generation not sufficient?

(b)

did the £600k in increased costs with Street Scene and waste due to increased tonnages and staffing costs include the £250k net pressure into the Place Directorate budget?

(c)

was it considered that the council’s budget was sufficient to address the increase in budget pressures due to Covid 19; were further grants expected from government?

(d)

were all current risks in the budget linked to Covid 19 pressures?

(e)

what risks and challenges were associated in the customer and corporate support budget?

(f)

how much of the children’s budget had been written off or was impacted by Covid 19?

(g)

risks were referred to in the executive summary of the report; Members requested that those risks be identified in order to enable more detailed scrutiny.

(a)

the manifesto consisted of 86 commitments with each falling under priority areas; over one third had been confirmed and delivered;

(b)

digital transformation and infrastructure was being considered as part of a drive to make savings in IT;

(c)

the People Strategy was agreed by Cabinet in March 2020 and policies would be launched in May 2021;

(d)

infection rates linked to Covid 19 were increasing in the city; a cautious approach was required in order to keep customers and staff safe; the contact centre was open as usual and the registration service was open with a high demand of marriage enquiries;

(e)

work was taking place assessing how the city’s libraries operated, especially in terms of virtual working and services offered;

(f)

there was an increase of 30% in the garden waste collection; Members were encouraged to consider ways in which commercial waste collection could be increased;

(g)

homelessness prevention and initiatives were a priority;

(h)

the transport section was supporting the city’s recovery from the impact of Covid 19 by encouraging residents to feel safe when using the city’s car parks; investment in a new parking system using the latest technology would also offer customers greater choice. A trial was due to start regarding perpendicular parking in two areas of the city.

(i)

digital connectivity and inclusion and the importance of reaching out to all aspects of the community;

(j)

the customer service strategy and how possible changes to the library service would require early scrutiny intervention;

(k)

ways to increase commercial waste collection;

(l)

the impact of street scene and waste collection on the climate emergency;

(m)

the potential for a joint scrutiny session with Adult Health and Social Care OSP regarding alliance work, housing and support and homelessness;

(n)

car parking, the importance of public perception and how the parking trial would maximise street use.

(a)

The Declaration on Government Reform – outlined how the Civil Service and Ministers would reform government together to deliver better for citizens reforming three main areas around people, performance and partnership;

(b)

Elections Bill introduced in Parliament – new legislation to strengthen the integrity of UK elections to protect democracy and protect elections from foreign interference;

(c)

with regards to housing, homelessness and debt – there was more support for victims of domestic abuse at risk of homelessness, and there was a Government drive to end rough sleeping building on the success if Everyone In.

(d)

the Elections Bill and the impact on democracy due to requiring identification to vote;

(e)

Government funds made available to the city linked to the rough sleeping strategy;

(f)

the impact the Domestic Abuse Act would have on homelessness in the city.

1.

figures regarding government funding received by the Council linked to the Move On Fund would be provided to Members;

2.

clarification as to whether the Council had submitted a response to the ‘Domestic Abuse support within a  safe accommodation: statutory guidance and regulations consultation’ by the close date of 27 July 2021 would be provided to Members.

(a)

diversity and discrimination specifically in the gay community and what could be done to help;

(b)

how were harder to reach communities and groups being communicated with and prioritised?

(c)

the importance of sharing the information contained within the Safer Plymouth Update with all Councillors;

(d)

had there been a reduction in the OPCC grant funding and what was the impact?

(e)

was it considered that Plymouth had sufficient police force with the appropriate skills to deliver Safer Plymouth’s priorities?

(f)

what examples could be provided of successful prevention and early intervention work;

(g)

how were schools being engaged and communicated with, in terms of mental health discussions and other Safer Plymouth priorities?

(h)

what could be done to further strengthen the links between the Council and Safer Plymouth and its partners.

(a)

to consider the Council’s Environment Bill response;

(b)

finance to be discussed at each scrutiny meeting;

(c)

Rough Sleeping Strategy;

(d)

how Plymouth would be policed with current Police resources;

(e)

homelessness and domestic abuse;

(f)

Digital transformation;

(g)

Controlled Parking Zones;

(h)

the Elections Bill and the implications for the Council;

(i)

Parking, including electric vehicles and charging points.